TAMPA, Fla. — While many spend time with family on the holiday, first responders put in hours to keep the community safe.
"We know what we were getting ourselves into so our families also know," Captain Ronald Sayegh said.
Captain Sayegh has worked for Tampa Fire Rescue for 14 years, having to spend many holidays away from his wife and children.
"We celebrated yesterday 'Nochebuena' for Spanish. We had a great time," Sayegh said.
While he doesn't have his family with him this Christmas, right by his side is one-and-a-half-year-old K9 Peabody. Peabody is a search and rescue dog for FEMA that Seyegh trained. He is ready for disasters like building collapses.
"We hide in a rubble pile of concrete and once he finds us, he barks to alert," Sayegh explained.
His crew at Tampa Fire Rescue Station 5 includes several firefighter paramedics. His crew also spent Christmas Day clocked in. They work 24-hour shifts and get 48 hours off. On Christmas, they said it's like any other day.
"Essentially the morning routine is the same. Check out our equipment and our trucks," Tampa firefighter Sam Sweet said.
Tampa Fire Rescue Station 5 is right near Interstate 275, where many calls originate.
"Unfortunately, drinking and driving as well. That doesn’t change," Sweet added.
If there is downtime on the holiday, Peabody will snuggle up to enjoy Christmas classics with the firefighters. While they can’t be home for the holiday, being at the station with their coworkers feels like they are with family.
"Of course, it could be difficult without being with our families but it’s like being with family here," Tampa firefighter Addelove Watkins said.
They're making their Christmas merry, and yours safe.
Another call firefighters respond to on the holiday is Christmas tree fires. They want to remind people to water their Christmas trees as long as they are up because when they dry out, they become major fire hazards.